Saxon Math vs Shormann Math

The sharpest difference is screen time: Saxon Math is fully offline, Shormann Math is mostly digital. Four more separate them, so this is not a close pairing.

At a glance

Saxon Math

Grades K-12

Shormann Math

Grades 7-12

Both are reported to suit Independent workers.

Skip to who fits

Where they differ

Attribute Saxon Math Shormann Math
Parent involvement
?

How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1hands-off
  2. 2light
  3. 3shared
  4. 4leading
  5. 5parent-taught
Read the parent involvement guide
Screen time
?

How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1fully offline
  2. 2mostly offline
  3. 3blended
  4. 4mostly digital
  5. 5fully digital
Read the screen time guide
Independence
?

How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1adult-led
  2. 2guided
  3. 3semi-independent
  4. 4mostly independent
  5. 5fully independent
Read the independence guide
Faith content None Integrated
Format Textbook Online
Method TraditionalTraditional textbook TraditionalClassicalVideo-led/self-paced
Grades K-12 7-12

Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.

Where they match

How each one plays by grade

Saxon Math

Grades K-12

Parent-led and scripted in K-3, mostly independent from 5/4 up.

Shormann Math

Grades 7-12

Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 each integrate geometry, so there is no separate geometry course, and each can stretch over three semesters. The sequence runs Prealgebra through Calculus 2.

Cost

Cost item Saxon Math Shormann Math
Price $90-140/kit $105-200/course
Consumable Partial Partial
Per child / year ~$100 ~$105-155/course, 24-month access

Where to buy

What parents report

Saxon Math

Consistently praised

  • Thorough review builds retention
  • Strong for computation and test prep
  • Upper levels work independently
  • Incremental steps rarely leave gaps

Reported as challenges

  • Lessons run long
  • Repetitive daily mixed review
  • Topic-jumping spiral frustrates some kids
  • Layout looks dated

Shormann Math

Consistently praised

  • Clear step-by-step video lectures for every lesson
  • Auto-grading makes it hands-off for parents
  • Strong SAT, ACT, and CLEP prep
  • Kids become independent and self-managing
  • Christian worldview and math history

Reported as challenges

  • Some lectures run long, over an hour
  • Can dampen a kids love of math on heavy days
  • Christian content feels like too much for some
  • Whiteboard-only videos with no instructor face

Who Saxon Math fits

Built for kids who do well with daily review and repetition, in families that want a thorough offline program with a long runway. Short lessons, a mastery track that stays on one topic, and a colorful open-and-go page are three things Saxon doesn't offer.

Read the full Saxon Math entry Check price Rainbow Resource

Who Shormann Math fits

Independent 7th to 12th graders who want Saxon-style incremental math updated with modern topics and built-in test prep, taught from a Christian worldview with little parent teaching. Families wanting a secular program, a parent walking a kid through examples, or short daily lessons should cross it off.

Read the full Shormann Math entry Check price DIVE Interactive Education

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Still deciding?

Descriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources together with each publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time. Both entries last reviewed August 2026.